Chapter 26

The "woman" couldn't have been any older than twelve. But she held an air about her that let everyone in her presence know she was much older. She looked around the office in polite disinterest before setting her eyes on me. "So, you're Kifo. My name is Merica." She looked me over with her cold, black eyes and nodded her head. "Glad to see a woman. Death tends to be a male-dominated position."

"It's nice to meet you. Why are you here?"

"I know where Azrael might be keeping your boss. I say 'might' because I don't know if he's still there or not."

"Why are you helping us?"

"Azrael took me from the Reapers that were training me and forced a scythe on me when I was just twelve. He's on my shit list."

"I'm sorry. Why wait so long, though?"

"Leverage. I help you find your boss, and you help me to leave the Memitim and join the Ferrymen," she said offhandedly.

"You can leave the Memitim of your own accord. I can't guarantee you entrance into the Ferrymen."

"I didn't ask for a guarantee. Just help. If they say no. I'll accept that. If I leave the Memitim, I'll be murdered. Being here now is an offense punishable by death."

I nodded. "I'll do my best to get Hades to consider it.

"Thank you."

I noticed that Kerberos didn't growl when Merica walked into the office. I guess that meant I could trust her. I motioned to the seat across from me and sat back down on the couch. "Might I ask how long you've been with the Memitim?"

"Since the turn of the century. The nineteenth century," she said, taking a seat.

"Oh, goodness. I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing. Anyway, let's get down to business. You have a traitor amongst you. Two to be exact."

"I figured as much," I shot a sideways glance to Barry. "Do you know their names?"

"Veles and Mot."

There was a clatter from over at the desk, and we looked over to see Barry standing and looking like he was about to be sick.

"Barry?"

"I'm fine. Thought I saw a spider. Sorry." He excused himself and left the office, closing the door behind him.

I frowned slightly and turned my attention back to Merica. I knew both of the Reapers she had mentioned. One was a Psychopomp, and the other was a Dreamer. They both worked the night shift. I had to admit I was a bit surprised to learn that they were the ones who betrayed us. "What about where they're holding Thanatos?"

"The last I knew he was being held at the old abandoned asylum, just outside of the city. They may have changed, though. Actually, it definitely would change if they find out that I'm here speaking with you. Though it's no surprise, I held a level of disdain for the Memitim and refused to commit murders."

I nodded and bit my lip in thought. "The man who was here. Have you seen him before?"

"Once. Mot had a picture of the two of them in his wallet, and it had fallen out. If memory serves me correctly, they are lovers."

���I see." I sat in silent contemplation, then called Frank and asked him to find Barry and bring him back to the office.

About ten minutes later, Barry walked into the office, and Kerberos started barking and growling like crazy. It took me an entire five minutes to calm the beat down.

"What's up?"

"Who is Mot to you?" I asked. "And I expect the truth or so help me. I will reap you right here and now."

"...He's my boyfriend. Please believe I had no idea Mot was a traitor until she said something," he motioned towards Merica. "I was planning on calling him and talking to him about it. Try and talk him into setting Thanatos free. But he wouldn't answer his phone."

"Mot is a lost cause. He should be reaped." Merica crossed her arms and glared at Barry.

"I want you to take three other Reapers and go to the old asylum. One of the Reapers you take with you must be Frank. I want you all to see if Thanatos is still there and if he is, I want you to bring him back.��

"Yes, ma'am." Barry rushed off to go and get his team together so they could search for our boss.

"I hope you don't mind, but I think it would be best if you stay here. At least until I can be sure, we can trust you."

Merica smiled and nodded. "Of course. I wouldn't expect any less, Kifo."

While Barry and the others searched for Thanatos, Merica and I went over city maps. We made a list of other possible locations that the Memitim might take Thanatos to keep him from us. Thankfully Thanatos was strong-willed, so I knew he wouldn't grant them permission to reap him.